We left our hotel at 9am to catch a flight to Bangkok. This is where we all separated. Bowman and Cloe caught a flight together to Dubai, a few people were spending another night or two in Bangkok, Terri and Mark were heading to Cambodia. So we said our goodbyes wondering if our paths would ever cross again. Overall, it was a good crew to travel with, and we leave with new friends.

Because our plane landed an hour late, Mike and Eadie met us right at the gate. They brought their driver Louie with them. This is when I felt like we were getting 5 star treatment. Louie took our bags to the Bangkok house, and we headed for the farm. The drive took us about 1.5 hours, but we also stopped a few places. First stop was a road side stand for these rice crispy cakes with palm sugar syrup on top. I think we may have had them at the Joy house, but they were delicious. Next we drove down a street that has miles of plants and trees for sale. We saw trees, bushes, ficus, topiaries they looked like poodles (which Erika wants). Then we stopped for lunch at the only restaurant in the area where you could sit down inside to eat. The food was delicious, fried rice with chicken, glass noodle seafood salad, omelette, wings, stir fried vegetables, and this delicious soup called gollange ginger.

Next stop, the farm which is located in xx, which is one of the 72 provenances in Thailand. The farm is on a lake that’s surrounded by rice patty farms. It is located in the Nokia Nayak province in the town of Ongkharak- Sis Krabue. Finally Erika got to see some birds – egrets, and lots of other birds. The farm is beautiful and has an orchard with lime trees, mangos, papayas, coconut, avocados, dragon fruit which is from a cactus, short bananas, corn and a vegetable garden, cherry coffee bean, cashew tree, cinnamon, passion fruit, vanilla, figs, star fruit, tamarind, and I’m sure I missed some. When you see everything here, you can’t believe that none of this was here 10 years ago when they bought the place. Fortunately they have a Burmese hill tribe family that lives on the property and takes care of the garden and trees. We stayed in the cottage, another building that’s separated from their main house by the vineyard. Unfortunately termites have killed some of their older grape vines, but they are doing what they can to control the terminate, save the rest, and regrow. Their main house is a nice size for them, and it has an outdoor shower, an amazing view from the bedroom, and 2 lizards on the wall. Right by the main house there is a fish pond, a wood table seating area, a koi pond, the lake, beautiful orchids, and other flowers. There are also about 5 dogs that roam the property, and 5 newer puppies, Just a little bit of paradise.

Since we had a late dinner, we had cheese, crackers, fresh cold coconut water, and home made wine. Well, no wine for me, but Erika thought it tasted lovely. We had a lovely conversation and by 7:45 we were all tired and kind of ready for bed. Sad but true.